Jail for chainsaw attacker

By
Mark Russell

A man who attacked his victim with a chainsaw during a neighbourhood feud has been jailed for at least two years and six months.

County Court judge Irene Lawson sentenced Benjamin Gerada to a total of four years with a non-parole period of two years and six months.

Gerada, 34, of Melton South, had pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury to Damien Revell on January 17 this year. The maximum penalty was 15 years' jail.

Mr Revell, 39, had his right hand nearly severed in the attack.

He was taken to hospital suffering severe tendon damage to his wrist, multiple cuts to his chest, and needed 22 stitches to his head.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Revell said he still had nightmares over the attack and would often wake up covered in sweat.

Doctors have told him that, at best, he will have 70 per cent use of his hand.

Mr Revell has stopped taking his three sons camping and fishing because he cannot use his hand properly and he

said he could no longer stand the sound of chainsaws, whipper snippers and lawnmowers.

Gerada and his partner, Natasha, had been drinking at the home of Matt Fayle in Brennan Street, Melton South, at about 12.30am before visiting a nearby friend.

As they were walking back to Fayle's place, the couple claimed they were attacked by a group of men armed with baseball bats and knives who warned them to stay away from Fayle.

Prosecutor Bruce Nibbs said Fayle was well-known in the area for regularly starting up a chainsaw to intimidate other residents.

Gerada's partner, Natasha, ran back to the friends' house while Gerada ended up back at Fayle's house.

The group of men then started throwing rocks and bricks at Fayle's house.

Mr Nibbs said Fayle was standing in the front yard revving the chainsaw and saying, "Come on you dogs."

Gerada then grabbed the chainsaw from Fayle and lunged at Mr Revell, pulling the chainsaw down over his body. Mr Revell put his hand up in self-defence and was badly injured. He claimed he had walked up the street to see what the commotion was about.